High stakes, high risk, and a bad bet

(Kyoto University) Gambling addiction is a mental disorder characterized by excessive risk-taking despite negative results. Scientific studies using functional MRI have previously shown that addicts have altered activity in brain regions related to risk and reward, making them prone to prefer risky choices. New fMRI research conducted at Kyoto University has now found another explanation for the unhealthy bent: addicts have a poor ability to assess and adapt to high risk situations. The study ap...